Friday, February 12, 2100

On February 11, 2010, my wife came across the Love146.org website and we started looking through it together. We were awestruck to learn that slavery is still rampant worldwide, even in the United States. I started digging through their website for more information and I came across a video titled, "Imagine." This video didn't just grab me, it shook me. This was my call to action and I knew I had to join the fight.

This video was the turning point in my life where I became an abolitionist. I have three beautiful little girls and a little boy. This video kept me up through the night thinking of my own children and the suffering of child slaves around the world. I thought, "If only I could free these kids and adopt them as my own. Give them the protection and love all children deserve."

I thought of early abolitionists, the civil rights movement and horrid events such as the holocaust. How many people stood by while these atrocities occurred? A better question, how many stood up to defend the rights of themselves and others?

Will I stand by or stand up?
What will you do?

The first step to ending slavery worldwide is awareness. Until a few weeks ago, I was not aware that there are 27 million slaves worldwide. That's more slaves than any time in history, including the transatlantic slave trade. If I, an "educated" college graduate, business professional, youth church leader and father of five was not aware of the magnitude of modern slavery, then there must be thousands of others out there just like me that need to know.

Monday, January 11, 2016

Today is Human Trafficking Awareness day. This is the perfect chance to help bring awareness to the reality of modern slavery to those around you.

For those wondering where to start, I highly suggest visiting one of these non-profit organizations and donating to them. These organizations also have pages with ideas on how you can help and what you can do to make a difference. I've associated with and/or researched these organizations on various levels in the past and feel they are trustworthy and truly making differences in this fight. There are many other organizations you can support who do fabulous work, but if you're new to this cause and want some place to start, start with these.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

There are miracles happening at the LOVE146 Round House. These stories bring me hope. There are many charities and non-profits you can and should donate to. If you do not have a charity that you donate to yet, I invite you to support LOVE146 below.

Jasmine is one of the many girls and boys we’ve served through our global survivor care programs. She has been recovering in our Round Home in the Philippines for more than a year and has shared her hopes with us: “In the future, I want to be a teacher. One of the most beautiful gifts from God is the chance to learn. Love146 is helping me to do my studies and see my dreams. Because of education, I can be smart in making decisions, and other people can’t trick me. Here in the Round Home, I am very happy because nobody hurts me, and lots of people love me here.”

Your gifts create transformative spaces for children, like Jasmine, to experience beauty in the world.

Every dollar you give through this email will go directly towards our Survivor Care programs in The Philippines.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

This isn't related to anti-trafficking work, but it's an exciting achievement for me. I just published my first novel, I AM SLEEPLESS: SIM 299 (pen name Johan Twiss). It's a young adult science fiction/adventure story. If you or someone you know likes Science Fiction and/or Fantasy, I invite you to check it out.

I AM SLEEPLESS: SIM 299 (Book 1)While the others slept, Aidan spent hours each night running sim after sim. Although he was only a twelve-year cadet, he had completed more simulations than any prime— ever.

“You are setting history,” General Estrago told him. “No one has ever made it to the current simulation you are attempting. The other Masters and I are eager to see what comes next.”

So was Aidan.

Book Synopsis:The planet Ethos is at war with a mysterious enemy known as the Splicers. Their only successful defense is the Prime Initiative. All newborns with the compatible genetic code are taken from their families and injected with the Prime Stimulus. Each child that survives the stimulus develops an extraordinary ability and is conscripted into the military for training.

After turning twelve, Aidan is moved to the upper-class at the Mount Fegorio training complex. His special gifts allow him unprecedented success in the virtual training simulations, advancing him further than any prime cadet in history. No one knows what lies after sim 299, not even Director Tuskin, the ruthless and reclusive ruler of their planet. But something, or someone, has been guiding Aidan there. If he can pass the final tests, he may discover the key to ending the Splicer War. ---

Monday, September 23, 2013

Cuatro Corridosis a chamber opera addressing one the critical human rights issues of human trafficking. Based on true events, it tells the story of women trapped in a cycle of prostitution and slavery in and around the San Diego/Tijuana border.

Led by Grammy Award winning soprano Susan Narucki and noted Mexican author Jorge Volpi, the fully-staged production features original music by composers Hilda Paredes, Arlene Sierra, Lei Liang and Hebert Vázquez. Each composer gives voice to one of the four female characters by presenting one act in the hour-long drama.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Today, $1 million in matching funds is available to help your gift go farther.

From 7 am to Midnight, you can click here to provide shelter, legal representation, counseling, and support services to survivors of human rights abuses. Your gift will be multiplied, and so will your impact.

Your support helps make our community a place where survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence can build new lives of freedom, safety, and hope.

Thank you,

Dr. Walter Nguyen

Executive Director

Mosaic is a safe haven for survivors of human rights abuses,

including human trafﬁcking and domestic violence.

We create access to opportunities for our clients, empowering them toward independence. Mosaic is the only agency in North Texas with the multicultural staff and comprehensive services needed to reach refugee and immigrant survivors of abuse. All of our clients' needs are met in one safe place: they receive free shelter, legal representation, counseling and support services in more than 25 languages.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Human trafficking has been reported in every U.S. state, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that at least 100,000 children are victims of sex trafficking and prostitution each year in the United States.

While the U.S. has strong federal laws against child trafficking, many states lack state-level legislation to support these laws – leaving significant gaps in protecting children and ensuring they receive the services they need to restore their lives. In many cases, children rescued from trafficking are treated as criminals.

Will you join IJM, Polaris Project and local leaders in calling on Texas lawmakers to pass “Safe Harbor” legislation to protect child trafficking victims from being treated as criminals and to ensure survivors receive the specialized services they need?

Sunday, January 27, 2013

On Thursday 18th October, UK Anti-Slavery Day, up and coming
musician Jess Clayton released her single ‘Voice for the Voiceless’ to raise
awareness of modern day slavery and raise funds for The Treehouse Project.

The single was launched at a concert at Freedom Art Studios
in front of a packed audience. The evening included performances from Beka
Vyce, Red Letter and Jess Clayton. Proceeds from the concert and single
downloads have already raised over £1,000 to help survivors of Human
Trafficking.

Anti-Slavery Day was created by Act of Parliament in 2010 to
raise awareness of modern slavery and to inspire people to eliminate it.

There are currently estimated to be 27 millions slaves in
the world, more than at any other time in history. Modern day slaves are
exploited for profit in many ways, including sexual exploitation, forced
labour, trafficking and domestic servitude.

Human trafficking and exploitation is a growing problem with
the UK recognised as a significant transit and destination country for
trafficked women and young people. Many of those trafficked are under 18 years
of age.

Jess Clayton is a singer-songwriter who is passionate about
writing songs to make an impact.

She studied Commercial Music at Bath Spa University but
stopped a year short of the full degree as she wanted to just get out in the
world and start trying to make a difference.

In 2011 Jess was offered an internship working at the Trauma
Recovery Centre (TRC) in Bath; a charity that offers free play therapy and
counselling for children who are facing trauma and crisis. There she met Susie
(whose real name shall remain unknown). Susie was 20 years old and had three
children. She had been sold by her father into slavery at 13 after which time
she suffered extreme abuse and exploitation. Susie finally managed to escape
aged 19 years old after being assaulted for a final time and nearly losing her
children and her life.

Jess says “I had the privilege of working with Susie and being
her friend. Working at the TRC with the Treehouse Project tugged on so many of
my heart strings, including the musical ones, I couldn’t help but start writing
songs about it. These experiences have left me with a particularly strong
determination to bring hope and change into the world through my music.

I recorded my single ‘Voice for the Voiceless’ to raise
awareness of Human Trafficking. The song is inspired by my involvement with the
TRC and working with survivors of human trafficking like Susie. 100% of all
sales from the single will be donated to the TRC’s Treehouse Project which
provides an aftercare service in the UK for survivors of Human Trafficking”

The TRC launched The Treehouse Project in February 2012. The
project focuses on the rehabilitation of children and young people who have
been the victims of human trafficking by providing therapeutic aftercare
through counselling, befriending, education and accommodation.

‘Voice for the Voiceless’ can still be downloaded from http://jessclayton.bandcamp.com
for a donation of just £1, with all proceeds going to The Treehouse Project.

Finally Jess said “Even if you could just turn 27,000,000
slaves into 26,999,999, isn’t it worth it for that one?”